Control line retaining device

ABSTRACT

A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool comprises a key, a receiver at a downhole tool which is configurant to mention to receive at least one elongated member and a key.  
     A method for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool comprises positioning an elongated member in a receiver at the tool, positioning a key at said receiver and expanding the key to bear against the elongated member.

BACKGROUND

[0001] In the hydrocarbon research and recovery industry it is well known that operations are conducted well below the surface of the earth. Controlling such operations has traditionally included control lines comprising elongated metal tubes filled with hydraulic fluid, electric conductors, and/or optic fibers. The control lines must extend as far downhole as needed to provide communication and control with and over a downhole tool. Control lines that are loose on the surface of a tool are prone to be damaged. It is desirable therefore to provide retention of lines, although prior art methods and apparatus for such retention have not met all desired requirements.

SUMMARY

[0002] A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool comprises a key and a receiver structure at a downhole tool which is configured and dimensioned to receive at least one elongated member and a key.

[0003] A method for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool comprises positioning an elongated member in a receiver at the tool; positioning a key at said receiver and expanding the key to bear against the elongated member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a receiver structure and a key for control line retention as disclosed herein;

[0005]FIG. 2 is a side view of the key showing farther details;

[0006]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the key as shown in FIG. 2;

[0007]FIG. 4 is an end view of the key as shown in FIG. 2;

[0008]FIG. 4a is an alternate end view of the key;

[0009]FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the key as shown in FIG. 3 taken along section line 5-5;

[0010]FIG. 6 is a cross-section view taken through a schematically illustrated tool having a receiver in four places thereon;

[0011]FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section of a device shown in FIG. 6;

[0012]FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-section view of a tool with a receiver structure, control lines, key and expander shown exploded therefrom; and

[0013]FIG. 9 is the view of FIG. 8 with the expander urged into the key.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] With reference to FIG. 1 an assembly to retain a control line is illustrated generally at 10. A receiver structure 12 is configured and positioned to receive a key 14. As is visible in one side of receiver structure 12, a control line profile 16 (a radi used corner square recess) is available to receive about half a control line while control line profile 18 on key 14 would receive the other half. That is to say that control line profiles 16 and 18 when nested define a channel within which a control line is retainable.

[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 4 a and 5 more detailed drawings are introduced with respect to key 14. It should be noted initially that FIG. 4a illustrates an alternate embodiment of key 40 to handle a single control line. Each of the other drawings illustrate a two control line embodiment. In FIG. 4a, profile 17 will be understood to occupy the space that would otherwise be occupied by a control line. Key 14 is an elongate body constructed of durable material such as metal. In the embodiment specifically illustrated, there are two openings 19 having threads 20 for receiving set screws which are intended to help retain the key (key retainer) in the desired position when a device is assembled. It is to be understood that the number of set screws illustrated is not required, and that one or more set screws may be utilized if desired. In addition, it is not required that set screws be used at all. It is desirable that provision be made for retention of key 14, the set screws being but one embodiment thereof. Other means for retention may include an interference fit of one or more of the exterior surfaces of the key against complementary one or more surfaces of the receiver structure.

[0016] As it is intended that key 14 be expandable, slot 22 is provided in one embodiment of key 14 in order to allow the key to expand more easily. The slot 22 need only be long enough to facilitate the desired expansion. Key 14 may be expanded by driving any element (expander) having a greater width than slot 22 into that slot. In the illustrated embodiment, two plugs are shown to serve the desired purpose. One of skill in the art will recognize from the illustration that openings 24 are tapered pipe thread openings. As is also understandable by one of ordinary skill in the art, providing the initial diameter of the pipe thread similar to the diameter of the smallest section of the pipe plug (not shown) the key will be spread by the threading in of the plug to openings 24. The taper is also well visible in FIG. 5. Further features of key 14 are illustrated in each of FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. Namely, profile 18 is visible in each of the figures.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 6, receiver structure 12 and profile 16 will be visually understood. Also, referring back to FIG. 1, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that key 14 is moved into receiver structure 12 through opening 26. Referring to FIG. 7, advantageously receiver structure 12 is tapered on both ends 28 and 30 to reduce the possibility of the downhole tool 32 becoming jammed in the wellbore. In addition, the tapered edges 28 and 30 are helpful with respect to reducing impact on receiver structure 12, thus reducing the chances that such receiver structure would be damaged during run-in.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 simultaneously, a completed construction of the device illustrates the cradling of the control lines 34 between profiles 16 and 18 respectively and key 14 in opening 26. It should be noted that the tallest section of key 14 does not extend beyond the outside diameter 36 of receiver structure 12. In FIG. 8, plug 38 is illustrated in exploded form above opening 24 whereas in FIG. 9 plug 38 has been threaded into opening 24 to spread key 14 into interference contact with control lines 34. It should be noted by one of ordinary skill in the art that in FIG. 8 slot 22 has a first dimension whereas in FIG. 9 slot 22 has a larger dimension caused by the insertion of plug 38 and thereby the spreading of key 14.

[0019] The method for installing the device includes laying control lines within receiver structure 12, and nesting them in profiles 16. Key 14 is then tapped into place within opening 26 of receiver structure 12. Slight insertion force might be required in the event that the control line is slightly bent, however the amount the force required to insert the key into the recess structure 12 is not significant. Once key 14 is fully inserted within recess 12 the two set screws (or other retention mechanism) are tightened to assure that key 14 stays in the desired position. Following securement of key 14 in its desired position, key 14 will be spread by any one of a number of means but as illustrated with two pipe thread plugs threaded into openings 24. The plugs are desirably threaded in until their uppermost surfaces (as illustrated in FIG. 9) are below the uppermost surface (again as illustrated in the figures of key 14).

[0020] An advantage of the illustrated embodiment is that it is entirely reusable since plugs 38 may be removed from key 14 at which point key 14 will return to its predeformed size. As is obvious from the foregoing statement, the expansion of key 14 is not beyond its elastic limit. Another advantage is that vibration created by well operations does not defeat or reduce the retaining capacity of the system.

[0021] While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustrations and not limitation. 

1. A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool comprising: a key; and a receiver structure configured and dimensioned to receive at least one elongated member and said key.
 2. A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said key is expandable.
 3. A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said key includes an opening configured and dimensioned to receive an expander such that when said expander is received, said key is expanded.
 4. A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 3 wherein said expander is a separate member introduced to said slot.
 5. A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 3 wherein said expander is a plug.
 6. A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein said plug is tapered.
 7. A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein said plug is threaded.
 8. A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said opening is a slot.
 9. A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said system further includes a key retainer.
 10. A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said key retainer is at least one set screw.
 11. A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said key further includes at least one surface which is profiled to mate with said at least one elongated member.
 12. A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elongated member is a control line.
 13. A method for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool comprising: positioning said elongated member in a receiver structure at said tool; positioning a key at said receiver structure; and expanding said key to bear against said elongated member.
 14. A method for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 13 wherein said method further comprises engaging at least one set screw to retain said key in position.
 15. A method for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 13 wherein said expanding comprises urging an expander into an opening within said key.
 16. A method for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 15 wherein said expander is a plug.
 17. A system for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 16 wherein said plug is tapered.
 18. A method for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 16 wherein said plug is threaded.
 19. A method for retaining an elongated member at a downhole tool as claimed in claim 18 wherein said expanding further comprises threading said plug into said opening in said key. 